Getting Younger Employees’ Safety Buy-In

Denise GillinRisk Management, Workers' Compensation

By Zach Pucillo for KPA.io One of the most impactful ways to motivate younger workers to reduce their risk tolerance is to focus on technology. This generation grew up with mobile phones, apps, and social media, and their cell phones are likely attached at their hips. Certainly, if distractions from a mobile phone or electronic tablet could result in safety hazards at work, consider implementing a ban on such usage in high-risk work areas. But, once you’ve identified those risks and implemented policies and practices to properly address those issues, consider the ways in which you can leverage technology to work to your advantage. For instance, consider including your safety data sheets (SDSs) in a mobile application that’s easily accessible …

Risk Management Strategies to Reduce Your Liability

Denise GillinBusiness Insurance, Risk Management

By Ashley Wilson for AssuredPartners.com Business leaders are forced with making impossible decisions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Not just decisions about keeping their doors open, but decisions ranging from hiring and firing employees, to compensation, and how to provide safe work conditions during these unprecedented times. Unbeknownst to many employers, these difficult decisions are putting their business at risk for an Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) claim. As employment-related lawsuits are on the rise for employers of all sizes, it is critical for employers to understand these exposures in order to manage the risk of an EPLI claim. Read effective risk management strategies to reduce liability>>>

Five Critical COVID-19 Risks for the Manufacturing Industry

Denise GillinInsurance, Manufacturing, News

By Katie Dwyer for Risk&Insurance.com COVID-19 is impacting every business in some way, but manufacturers are under unique pressure. Though many have been forced to shut down, others have been called upon to help produce much-needed medical supplies. All are facing challenges with supply chain management, security, and the continual obligation to keep workers as safe as possible. Here are 5 risks facing manufacturers as they work through the pandemic: Supply Chain Disruption Economic Recession Vulnerabilities in Cyber Security Patent Infringement Liability Widespread Worker Illness Click for more details>>>

Ransomware Continues to Lead Cyber Attacks

Denise GillinInsurance, News, Risk Management

By Jody Westby for LeadersEdge.com Experts predict that a company will be hit with ransomware every 11 seconds and the cost of these attacks will be $20 billion by the end of 2021. Why has ransomware been so successful? Two reasons: (1) companies have not developed and tested backup/recovery plans that enable them to fully restore systems encrypted by ransomware, and (2) they have not encrypted their data at rest. If an organization hit by ransomware has encrypted its data at rest and has full backup/restoration capabilities, it can just restore its systems, and the cyber criminals have to go elsewhere. The reality, however, is that many companies rolled the dice and chose not to fund the development of backup/recovery …

Water, Rest, Shade: Keeping Workers Safe in the Heat

Denise GillinInsurance, News, Risk Management

Sponsored by Occupational Safety and Health Administration, US DOL Every year, dozens of workers die and thousands more become ill while working in extreme heat or humid conditions. There are a range of heat illnesses and they can affect anyone, regardless of age or physical condition. The informal kickoff date for the campaign is the Friday before Memorial Day – this year, Friday, May 22, 2021. Employer Responsibility to Protect Workers Under OSHA law, employers are responsible for providing workplaces free of known safety hazards. This includes protecting workers from extreme heat. An employer with workers exposed to high temperatures should establish a complete heat illness prevention program. Provide workers with water, rest and shade. Allow new or returning workers …

Encourage Near Miss Reporting to Improve Worker Safety

Denise GillinAgribusiness, Risk Management

By Gina Ekstam for AssuredPartners.com Imagine a scenario where an employee uses machinery without proper training, or a worker almost slips in a puddle of water caused by leaking equipment. No one is injured, but someone could have been. These near misses are just two examples of the many incidents that occur every day in the workplace that could result in serious injury or damage. OSHA refers to these near misses as “Close Calls,” which means “an incident that could have caused serious injury or illness but did not.” Near miss incidents may not cause immediate harm, but they can precede events in which an injury or loss could occur. Implementing a miss reporting system allows safety managers to capture …

Guidelines for Opening a Pool for the Summer

Denise GillinInsurance, Risk Management

By Brad Hagey for AssuredPartners.com With springtime in the air, now is the time to start thinking about opening your pool for the summer season. Most owners and operators consider opening pools when the temperature is consistently above 70 degrees during the day. Whether you plan to open the pool with your staff, or you hire a contractor, now is the time to start getting prepared. Tell me more>>>

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DOL Announces New Cybersecurity Guidance For Plan Sponsors, Plan Fiduciaries, Record Keepers, Plan Participants

Denise GillinHealth Benefits, News, Wealth Management

News Release by US Department of Labor The U.S. Department of Labor announced new guidance for plan sponsors, plan fiduciaries, record keepers and plan participants on best practices for maintaining cybersecurity, including tips on how to protect the retirement benefits of America’s workers. This is the first time the department’s Employee Benefits Security Administration has issued cybersecurity guidance. This guidance is directed at plan sponsors and fiduciaries regulated by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and plan participants and beneficiaries. As of 2018, EBSA estimates that there are 34 million defined benefit plan participants in private pension plans and 106 million defined contribution plan participants covering estimated assets of $9.3 trillion. Without sufficient protections, these participants and assets may be …

Six Components of an Effective Return-to-Work Program

Denise GillinNews, Risk Management, Workers' Compensation

By Tara Crisp-Schwartz for AssuredPartners.com One of the first steps in evaluating your current Workers’ Compensation and Return-to-Work (RTW) program is reviewing and revising current job descriptions to ensure they are EEOC and ADA-compliant. Once this task is complete, you can pre-plan for your return-to-work program. Why pre-plan? If you have not had a clear, concise discussion with your management team on RTW, you may get delayed when it comes time to implement the program for your injured worker. Read the six steps>>>

Prevent Falls in Construction: National Safety Stand-Down

Denise GillinConstruction, News, Risk Management

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has designated May 3 – 7, 2021 as the National Safety Stand-Down to prevent falls in construction. Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 401 of the 1,061 construction fatalities recorded in 2019 (BLS data). Those deaths were preventable. The National Safety Stand-Down raises fall hazard awareness across the country in an effort to stop fall fatalities and injuries. What is a safety stand-down? A Safety Stand-Down is a voluntary event for employers to talk directly to employees about safety. Any workplace can hold a stand-down by taking a break to focus on “Fall Hazards” and reinforcing the importance of “Fall …